State Teachers
Retirement System
Of Ohio
Completing My
Service Retirement Application
Frequently Asked Questions
and Next Steps to Retirement
for Members Enrolled in the Defined Benefit Plan
Dear Member:
This booklet is designed to answer frequently asked questions about
completing the Service Retirement Application. If you have a question that
is not addressed in this booklet, please call STRS Ohio’s Member Services
Center toll-free at 888-227-7877 and a trained staff member will be happy
to assist you.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1 — Personal Information............................................................................1
Section 2 — Plan of Payment Selection....................................................................2
Section 3 — Beneficiary Designation for Monthly Benefit Payments........................2
Section 4 — Multiple Primary Beneficiaries..............................................................3
Section 5 — Partial Lump-Sum Option Plan (PLOP) Election....................................4
Section 6 — Spousal Consent and Notary Certification.............................................4
Section 8 — Federal Income Tax Withholding...........................................................5
Section 9 — State Income Tax Withholding..............................................................5
Section 10 — Death Benefit Lump-Sum Payment....................................................5
Section 11 — Request for Account Withdrawal Information.....................................6
Section 12 — Acknowledgment of Member.............................................................6
Enrolling in the STRS Ohio Health Care Program.........................................................6
General Questions and Next Steps..............................................................................7
Service Retirement Process........................................................................................9
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
SECTION 1 — PERSONAL INFORMATION
When is my “effective date of retirement?”
Your effective date of retirement is the date your benefits begin, not your last day of employment. The effective date of
retirement is ALWAYS on the first of the month. Specifically, it is the first day of the month following the latter of:
• Your last day of teaching or other public service
Example: If your last day of service is June 5, 2017, then your effective date of retirement would be July 1, 2017.
• Attainment of age and service requirements
Example: If your 60th birthday is Oct. 15, 2017, then your effective date of retirement would be Nov. 1, 2017.
• Official certification with STRS Ohio of all purchasable service to be included in your retirement benefit, assuming
the service is purchased no later than three months following your retirement date
Example: If the date your service is officially certified and a cost statement is issued on Dec. 18, 2017, then your
effective date of retirement is Jan. 1, 2018.
What if I don’t know my last date of service?
If you are not sure of your last date of service at the time you are completing your Service Retirement Application,
use the last day of your final month of service. For example, if your final month of service will be June 2017, use
June 30, 2017.
How do I indicate plans for reemployment after retirement?
On Page 3 of the Service Retirement Application, you are asked to list all current and new Ohio public employers —
school and nonschool. If you plan to continue or begin employment with any of these employers after retirement, check
the “yes” box and provide the first date of service after retirement in the space provided.
Please review the “Terminating employment” and “Reemployment restriction” sections on Page 1 of the Service
Retirement Application for more information about reemployment.
How do I know if I have other service credit to purchase?
STRS Ohio members may purchase service credit for certain types of past employment — including out-of-state
teaching service, private school teaching service, other types of public service and leaves of absence. See STRS Ohio’s
Purchasing Service Credit brochure for a complete description of the types of purchasable service.
Because records are sometimes difficult to obtain, it is advisable to certify the service credit as soon as possible. This
does not obligate you to buy the credit, but it does verify the credit amount and current cost. Service credit you want to
purchase must be certified and a cost statement issued before your retirement date. All purchases you plan to make must
be paid in full within three months after your effective date of retirement.
Purchasing service credit may increase the amount of your retirement income and/or enable you to retire sooner.
How do I know if I need to name a former spouse as a beneficiary?
Review your divorce decree, Property Settlement Agreement or other court documentation related to your divorce to
determine if you are to leave a portion of your retirement benefit that continues after your death to a former spouse.
To provide a continuing benefit after your death, you must select a Joint and Survivor Annuity plan of payment
option and name the individual as a beneficiary on your Service Retirement Application. If you are required to leave
a continuing benefit after your death, STRS Ohio is required by Ohio law to pay the benefit in accordance with the
court documentation pertaining to your divorce. If naming a former spouse as a beneficiary, you must submit with your
application a copy of your divorce decree, Property Settlement Agreement or other court order that addresses your STRS
Ohio retirement benefit. If the documentation and your plan of payment selection on the application are not clear, STRS
Ohio will request clarification. Additional documentation from the court may be needed to clarify the interest a former
spouse has in your benefit as a Joint and Survivor Annuity beneficiary, if any.
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State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If you are required to leave a portion of your benefit to a former spouse while you are receiving a benefit, it is most likely
completed through a Division of Property Order (DOPO). A DOPO is issued through the court, sent directly to STRS
Ohio by the clerk of courts, and specifies an amount of your monthly benefit that must be paid to a former spouse while
you are receiving a monthly benefit. A DOPO is a separate court document and does not impact your Service Retirement
Application. You may be required to provide a benefit to a former spouse when your retirement begins (DOPO) and a
benefit after your death (Joint and Survivor Annuity plan of payment).
SECTION 2 — PLAN OF PAYMENT SELECTION
What is “reversion?”
If you choose a Joint and Survivor Annuity (Plan II), you may select a “reversion” feature that allows you to revert to a
Single Life Annuity in the following circumstances:
• Your beneficiary dies before you; or
• Your marriage to the beneficiary terminates, provided that you have written consent from your former spouse or the
appropriate court document authorizing such a change.
What if I marry or remarry after retirement?
Within the first year following your marriage after retirement, you may make application to provide a continuing monthly
benefit to a new spouse if one of the following conditions are met.
•
If you chose a Single Life Annuity (Plan I), you may select a Joint and Survivor Annuity naming your new spouse as
beneficiary; or
•
If you chose a Joint and Survivor Annuity (Plan II with reversion), you may reselect your new spouse as the
beneficiary. If your current Joint and Survivor Annuity plan included a former spouse or spouses as beneficiaries and
you are required to retain these beneficiaries pursuant to a court order or court orders, you may add the new spouse
only if you do not exceed a total of four beneficiaries or reduce your monthly benefit below the maximum Joint and
Survivor benefit amount.
SECTION 3 — BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION FOR MONTHLY BENEFIT PAYMENTS
What is the difference between a primary and secondary beneficiary?
The primary beneficiary is the person (or persons) who will receive any remaining benefits from the retirement account
following the death of the retiree. The plan of payment you choose will determine what, if any, benefits the primary
beneficiary is eligible to receive.
The secondary (or contingent) beneficiary is the person (or persons) who would receive monthly payments for the balance
of a guaranteed period under a Joint and Survivor Annuity, Option 1(B), 1(C), 2(B) or 2(C), if both the retiree and primary
beneficiary die before the guaranteed period ends. If there are two or more contingent beneficiaries, each beneficiary
would share equally in a lump-sum amount of the present value of future monthly payments.
For all other plans of payment, the secondary beneficiary is the person(s) who would receive any remaining contributions
from the retirement account if both the retiree and primary beneficiary die before the total contributions are paid. If the
total monthly benefit payments are more than your contributions, the secondary beneficiary receives nothing.
Do I need to list a secondary beneficiary?
A secondary beneficiary is required if you choose one of the Joint and Survivor Annuity options with guaranteed years.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I name more than one primary beneficiary?
If you select Plan I — Single Life Annuity or Plan III — Annuity Certain as your plan of payment, you can name more
than one primary beneficiary. Be sure to connect each full name with the word “and.” If necessary, you can include these
names and addresses on a separate page.
If you select Plan II — Joint and Survivor Annuity, the only option that allows for multiple primary beneficiaries is
Option 4. If you choose this option, you must complete Section 4 of the Service Retirement Application on Page 7.
SECTION 4 — MULTIPLE PRIMARY BENEFICIARIES
Why should I consider the Multiple Primary Beneficiaries Joint and Survivor Annuity?
If you need or want to provide financially for more than one individual following your death, this plan of payment option
is available. For example, members who are divorced and required by court order to leave a continuing monthly benefit to
a former spouse after the member’s death may take this option and also leave a benefit to a current spouse. Members who
have a disabled child may want to leave continuing monthly benefits to a spouse and the disabled child.
How does the annuity work?
You can specify a percentage or fraction of your benefit or a flat dollar amount to be continued following your death to up
to four beneficiaries. However, the amount cannot be less than 10% of your benefit unless a court order requires less than
10%. For example, upon your death, one beneficiary could receive 30% of your benefit, while a second could continue at
20%, and a third and fourth could continue at 10% each. Your benefit will be reduced based on the ages of the beneficiaries and
the amount of the survivor benefit provided to each. The percentages designated to beneficiaries do not have to equal 100%.
A Benefit Estimate calculator is available on STRS Ohio’s website, www.strsoh.org. You can use this tool to estimate
benefits for all plan of payment options, including the Multiple Primary Beneficiaries Joint and Survivor Annuity. Under
“Resources,” click on “Calculators” then “Benefit Estimate.” You may also call toll-free 888-227-7877 to request a benefit
estimate or a counseling session to discuss retirement plans or plan of payment options.
Be sure to obtain a benefit estimate before electing this option.
Is there a limit to how much I can leave each beneficiary?
Your benefit and each beneficiary’s benefit are tested to verify the combination is valid. You cannot leave more monthly to
the beneficiaries than you will receive monthly, and the Internal Revenue Service may limit the amount of monthly benefit
a non-spouse may receive. Unless otherwise required by court order, the minimum payment to a beneficiary is 10% of
your benefit. Under this plan of payment, if you and all of your beneficiaries die and the total monthly benefit payments
were less than your contributions, the remaining contributions will be paid to your estate.
If the court requires you to leave a portion of your monthly benefit to a former spouse, you must submit a copy of the court
order when you apply to retire.
If I select the Multiple Beneficiaries Joint and Survivor Annuity, can I change this plan of payment later?
You will be permitted to change this plan of payment only if:
• One of the beneficiaries is your spouse and the marriage terminates — provided written consent is submitted by the
former spouse or there is appropriate court documentation authorizing such a change; or
• All beneficiaries named at retirement are non-spouses and you marry after retirement. Within the first year of marriage,
you would be able to reselect a plan of payment with your new spouse as a beneficiary. Up to three beneficiaries
named at retirement may be retained; however, the total amount payable to all beneficiaries at your death cannot
exceed the benefit paid to you. Any amounts payable due to court orders must remain in place during the lifetime of
that beneficiary. Former spouses named as beneficiaries as directed by a court order cannot be removed while living.
Survivor benefits provided to any non-spouse beneficiaries cannot be increased through a reselection.
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State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
SECTION 5 — PARTIAL LUMP-SUM OPTION PLAN (PLOP) ELECTION
What is the Partial Lump-Sum Option Plan (PLOP)?
The PLOP allows you to take an amount from six to 36 times the monthly Single Life Annuity benefit in a lump sum at
retirement. Monthly benefits still begin with your retirement date, but they are reduced to reflect the amount taken in a
lump sum. More details about this plan of payment option can be found in the Service Retirement and Plans of Payment
brochure.
Is a PLOP payment taxable?
PLOP payments made directly to you that are eligible for rollover are subject to a mandatory 20% federal tax withholding.
You may be subject to a higher or lower federal tax rate for this payment and a 10% penalty for early withdrawal. This
penalty does not apply if you receive the lump sum after you reach age 59-1/2, or you have separated from service and
have taken payment in or after the year in which you turned age 55. A PLOP payment is also subject to Ohio state income
tax if you reside in Ohio. For further information, consult a tax advisor.
You may roll over your PLOP payment to a traditional individual retirement account (IRA), a Roth IRA, an eligible
employer plan or another qualified plan to avoid the immediate tax withholding and possible penalty. Qualified retirement
plans include any IRA or Keogh plan, 401(a), 401(k), 403(b) accounts and 457(b) governmental plans. Retirement plans
are not required to accept rollovers. Be sure to confirm that your plan administrator will accept these funds.
A Special Tax Notice will be mailed about one month before your payment is issued. Please review the document closely
since it provides tax information that may be helpful to you and your tax preparer.
When is the PLOP payment paid?
A PLOP payment is paid no earlier than 91 days after your retirement date or the date all necessary information is received
and your retirement benefit is finalized, whichever is later.
SECTION 6 — SPOUSAL CONSENT AND NOTARY CERTIFICATION
Does my spouse have to sign this section and should it be notarized?
If you are married when you file the Service Retirement Application, your spouse must consent to your selection if you
have selected:
Plan I — Single Life Annuity
Plan II — Joint and Survivor Annuity:
• Protecting your spouse with less than one-half of the benefit, or
• Protecting a non-spouse beneficiary.
Plan III — Annuity Certain
Partial Lump-Sum Option Plan
If this applies to you, your spouse must consent to your selection by signing the Spousal Consent section on Page 11 of the
Service Retirement Application before a notary public.
The spousal consent is not required if:
•
You are required to elect a plan of payment pursuant to a court order and your current spouse is also a beneficiary
under that plan; or
•
You are required to provide an amount to a former spouse or spouses pursuant to a court order or orders that is the
maximum amount payable in a Joint and Survivor Annuity plan of payment.
Without spousal consent for the plans as indicated, a Joint and Survivor Annuity with one-half of the benefit continuing to
the spouse with reversion and without a PLOP payment will be automatically selected for you.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
SECTION 8 — FEDERAL INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING
Is my retirement benefit subject to federal tax?
Yes, and unless you direct otherwise, STRS Ohio must withhold federal income tax starting with your first benefit
payment. You must choose Option 1, 2 or 3 in the Federal Income Tax Withholding section on Page 13 of the Service
Retirement Application. If this section is left blank, STRS Ohio will withhold federal taxes with the assumption that you
are married with three allowances. For more information, see the Taxes and Your STRS Ohio Benefits leaflet.
How do I change my tax withholding?
You can change your withholding on your monthly benefits anytime by completing a new withholding form (state or
federal). Your withholding will automatically adjust if the tax tables change or if your benefit changes.
What is the “Optional additional withholding?”
In addition to the calculated withholding (if you choose Option 2 or Option 3 on Page 13 of the Service Retirement
Application), you may want to increase the amount of your withholding. If so, check the box under “Optional additional
withholding” and enter the additional amount.
SECTION 9 — STATE INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING
Is my retirement benefit subject to state tax?
Your monthly retirement benefit is subject to Ohio income tax if you are an Ohio resident. State income tax will be
withheld only for the state of Ohio and you must request this withholding in the State Income Tax Withholding section
on Page 13 of the Service Retirement Application. Only whole dollar amounts or a percentage can be withheld from your
monthly benefit. If you do not request a whole dollar amount, the amount will be rounded to the nearest dollar. The state of
Ohio does not accept number of exemptions for retirement income withholding.
If you do not elect to withhold Ohio income tax, you will be responsible for paying Ohio income tax, if you reside
in Ohio, through estimated payments or at the end of the year. For more information, or to estimate state of Ohio tax
withholding, see the Taxes and Your STRS Ohio Benefits leaflet.
SECTION 10 — DEATH BENEFIT LUMP-SUM PAYMENT
What is the death benefit?
All STRS Ohio service retirees enrolled in the Defined Benefit Plan are covered by an automatic death benefit funded by
STRS Ohio. At your death, a $1,000 benefit will be paid in a single payment to the beneficiary you designate in the Death
Benefit Lump-Sum Payment section on Page 13 of the Service Retirement Application.
You may increase the amount of the death benefit by $1,000 or $2,000 by authorizing a deduction from your monthly
retirement benefit to pay for this additional coverage. For more information, please see the Death Benefits brochure.
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State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I name a different beneficiary than the person(s) designated for my benefit payments?
Yes, the death benefit is separate from your benefit payments. You can name the same beneficiary for both, or you may
name different beneficiaries. If you name more than one beneficiary, connect each full name with the word “and.” You may
change your death benefit beneficiary anytime. If you do not name a beneficiary, the statutory succession of beneficiaries
will apply. The death benefit proceeds would be payable in the following order:
• Surviving spouse, if any; or
• In equal shares to children of the deceased member; or
• In equal shares to the parents of the member; or
• To the estate of the member.
If you are under age 65 at retirement, you will have another opportunity to purchase additional death benefit coverage at
age 65 at a higher rate.
SECTION 11 — REQUEST FOR ACCOUNT WITHDRAWAL INFORMATION
How is the account withdrawal amount calculated?
A withdrawal consists of your contributions plus interest and, with 5.00 or more years of qualifying service credit, 50%
matching funds.
• With 5.00 or more years of qualifying service credit, interest at a rate no greater than 6% compounded annually
will be paid on your teaching contributions and an additional amount equal to 50% of the sum of your member
contributions, plus interest, will also be paid.
• With at least 3.00 years but less than 5.00 years of qualifying service credit, interest at a rate no greater than 6%
compounded annually will be paid on your teaching contributions.
• With less than 3.00 years of qualifying service credit, interest at a rate no greater than 4% compounded annually will
be paid on your teaching contributions.
Interest rates are subject to change. For current interest rates, call STRS Ohio toll-free at 888-227-7877.
If I withdraw my STRS Ohio account, am I eligible for benefits?
It is important to understand that withdrawing your STRS Ohio account is not a type of service retirement. Withdrawal of
your account will cancel your STRS Ohio membership, your accumulated service credit and your eligibility to qualify for
STRS Ohio monthly retirement benefits, including access to health care coverage, if eligible.
SECTION 12 — ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF MEMBER
Please be sure to sign and date the application in ink.
ENROLLING IN THE STRS OHIO HEALTH CARE PROGRAM
Am I eligible for STRS Ohio health care?
Currently, members need 15 or more years of qualifying service credit to purchase health care coverage through STRS
Ohio. Eligibility for health care coverage is determined by the State Teachers Retirement Board and is subject to change.
Coverage under the STRS Ohio Health Care Program is limited for individuals without Medicare who are employed
in a public or private position. Employed enrollees are eligible for only secondary health care coverage through STRS
Ohio’s Basic Plan if they: (1) are eligible for medical and prescription drug coverage through their employer, or (2) hold a
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
position for which other similarly situated employees are eligible for medical and prescription drug coverage at the same
cost as full-time employees. The rule applies to all employed enrollees who are not eligible for Medicare, regardless of
hire date or type of employment. If you think you might be affected, contact STRS Ohio. Failure to report employment
may result in retroactive cancellation of your coverage and liability for any claims paid.
If I’m eligible for and elect health care coverage, when does my coverage begin?
If you are eligible for and elect STRS Ohio health care at retirement, your coverage may become effective on the first of
the month following the latest of:
• Your effective date of retirement; or
• The first of the month following receipt of your Service Retirement Application; or
• The first of the month following the termination of employer coverage (if you are electing a later effective date on
Page 19 of your Service Retirement Application.)
Please contact your employer to determine when your employer coverage ends. You will not be able to change the
effective date of your STRS Ohio health care coverage after premium deductions and coverage begin.
If you return to work immediately and forfeit one or two months of your benefit, you may continue to participate in the
STRS Ohio Health Care Program. Premiums will be billed to you directly for the months you are not receiving a benefit.
Is dental and vision coverage included as part of my health care coverage?
No, the STRS Ohio health care plans do not provide dental and vision coverage. Separate plans are available for dental
and vision coverage. You may choose to enroll in one or both of these plans. The same effective date must be selected
for health care, dental and vision plans. Two separate enrollment packets are sent to members: one containing dental and
vision plan information and another that includes health care plan information.
How do I choose a plan and how much will it cost?
If you are eligible for the STRS Ohio Health Care Program and complete the Health Care Program section of the Service
Retirement Application, we will mail you selection information for choosing a health care plan, as well as dental and
vision coverage information. These packets will include enrollment instructions, plan coverage details and premium
information. This information can also be viewed in the secure Online Personal Account area of the STRS Ohio website
at www.strsoh.org.
GENERAL QUESTIONS AND NEXT STEPS
When do I need to file my Service Retirement Application?
Your application should be filed with STRS Ohio at least three months, but no more than 12 months, before your effective
date of retirement.
Will STRS Ohio contact my employer?
After you submit your retirement application, STRS Ohio will contact your employer two months before the effective date
of your retirement to obtain information to finalize your benefit. If you submit your application less than two months before
your retirement date, STRS Ohio will contact your employer upon receipt of your completed application.
When will I receive my first benefit payment?
If your Service Retirement Application is received by STRS Ohio at least 30 days before your retirement date and you have
provided complete information (including bank information), we will pay you a benefit on your retirement date. If the
actual benefit amount is not calculated by your retirement date, a partial payment will be issued. Most members receive at
least three partial payments of their monthly benefits. Once exact information is available, any balance will be retroactive
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State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
to your retirement date and will be paid as a catch-up payment, which is the difference between the partial payments you
received and your regular payments. Benefits are deposited to your bank account on the first banking day of the month. The
catch-up payment may be made on a day other than the first banking day of the month.
Can I make changes to my application after I send it to STRS Ohio?
Changes in your selected options for direct deposit or tax withholding may be made anytime. Changes to your effective
retirement date, plan of payment, PLOP payment amount, the account to which the PLOP payment is to be deposited and
the decision to purchase service credit must be submitted in writing and received by STRS Ohio by the 15th of the month of
your first regular benefit payment. You will be notified of the exact date these options are final.
The Service Retirement Process flowchart on Page 9 details the next steps in the retirement process once STRS Ohio
receives your completed Service Retirement Application.
Will I receive a payment remittance statement every month?
No; however, you may review payment information monthly by accessing your Online Personal Account on the secure
STRS Ohio website.
You will receive a payment remittance statement for each partial payment, the catch-up payment, the first regular benefit
payment, and each time your benefit changes due to a cost-of-living adjustment, a change in the deduction amount or any
other reason. You will also receive a remittance statement when you change your direct deposit information. Each January,
you will receive a remittance statement showing the total payments and deductions for the previous calendar year.
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SERVICE RETIREMENT PROCESS
Service Retirement Application is received by STRS Ohio.
Information from Service Retirement Application is entered into system.
Staff requests missing information, if any, from the member.
STRS Ohio checks for current employer(s) and sends forms
requesting final-year information. (Some employers wait
until the school year has ended or until the last payroll has
been made before supplying final-year information.)
STRS Ohio checks for service with OPERS and/or SERS and
requests final information, if applicable. If member is
currently in OPERS and/or SERS, the employer(s) contributing
to those systems must submit final-year information.
Member’s file is held pending receipt of final information from employer(s),
OPERS and/or SERS, and the member, if applicable.
Most deductions are calculated and partial payments are issued monthly until
member’s account can be finalized.
Final information from all sources is received by STRS Ohio. Information is
verified and final average salary (FAS) is calculated.
Member’s FAS, total service credit, account balance and any other required
information is compiled for final account audit.
Entire membership account and retirement calculation is audited for accuracy.
Final information is entered and verified on the system and a catch-up check is
calculated.
If member’s FAS is not limited, a check remittance
showing gross amount and deductions is printed and
mailed with a benefit calculation report. The benefit
payment is transmitted to the member’s bank.
If member’s FAS is limited, a check remittance showing
gross amount and deductions is printed and mailed. The
benefit payment is transmitted to the member’s bank.
A letter with a detailed explanation of the limitation is
prepared and mailed to the member with a copy of the law
and an explanation of FAS and benefit calculations.
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State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
State Teachers Retirement System
of Ohio
275 East Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215-3771
888-227-7877
www.strsoh.org
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15-217, 9/16/2M